The Great Grey

From the study of Stourhead House, Archibald asks a footman to then reach his valet for the address book kept among the gentry. With a heavy head he had been preparing to release his oldest daughter into the world, a job that seemed to rile every inch of him as he tried his best to make best of a situation he had failed to prepare for himself.

A father to daughters, he had known that one day he would be forced to let the world into his family life, but the year had come upon him far quicker than he had been expecting, and before he had known it Hermione’s eighteenth birthday was upon them. The first season of her debut would mean that the world would see what he had kept far from society, to relinquish all control over his daughter was something he had thought akin to nothing about when she had been born or even when she had taken her first steps. But now? Well, he hoped to do the best for her — for her and the two other daughters who would one day grow old enough to hope for a formal and professional debut into society.

Peter had not expected a letter from a Duke, but it was not unheard of. Because of his relation to his brother, Peter was often sought after for precisely the reason Archibald had. Women had better chances in the marriage market if they had a talent to sing, play, or both. And sometimes, he was to teach sons who needed something to consume their free hours.

Your Grace,

The holidays have been charming. My mother and brother send their regards, and we all hope you and yours have also had a good season.

I would be delighted to help your daughter with her studies and give her a fair review and pointers for the performances of her coming debut. From what I hear, she should not require more than a week or two of my instruction to help her improve and move forward without much more guidance. Would that suffice? Or had you something more demanding in mind?

Your man about business and mine can discuss the numbers. I would not reduce either of us to wasting precious space in our correspondence for this. The weather is predicted to be fairly tame for this time of year, and my schedule can adapt. So, what dates would work best for you and your eldest for this instruction? Your request takes precedence over anything else I have going. My brother would have my head if I even considered handling it otherwise, which I assure you I have not. Thank you for considering my instruction for your daughter.

Sincerely,
Mister Peter Scrymgeour, the Dundee Adjacent

Mister Scrymgeour

You must accept an apology for addressing you as your brother, put the blame at my steward’s door and let us talk no more of it!

I was happy to receive a letter so soon, I thought a young man such as yourself would be well wrapped up in the joy of the holidays. Do tell me, are you married? Or intend to marry? I do not ask for my girls, but as a future friend and mentor indeed. If you find yourself looking I can arrange some fruitful introductions I am sure. How old are you now? Ah, I write before I think!

Thank you for such a well thought out reply, I am sure Hermione will benefit from your education. You can come at your nearest convenience, and I will have a coach sent to collect you at the station. Stourhead is quite big enough to host a few friends and I do think it’s high time we get to know one another a little more.

My best wishes to your brother!

Sincerely

Archibald Seymour, Duke of Somerset.